Back to Spears, but this time we came with reinforcements; 15-20 students from Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's TEENS program. This program engages young people in the natural sciences, giving them valuable exposure to field work and scientific investigation.

They're pretty hardy kids, too; over half a mile walk in, toting tools, water, supplies, and lunch, just to get to the work site. They did fine work once they arrived, working above a ravine where the Friends of the Forest Preserve crew has concentrated efforts this year. It's looking good over there, as you can see from the expansive clearing in the photo below right. Understory plants should do well next year with increased sunlight reaching the ground.

Paddock Woods October 26

The morning forecast said 40% chance of rain for the time we planned to work. Could've been 40% chance of flood of biblical proportions, as the rain was quite impressive. We DID manage to get a fire going, and to cut and burn for a decent spell, before the intensifying rain and a rumble of thunder hastened our exit.

Momma said always see the glass as half-full; we had no concern over embers from our fading fire escaping in those soggy conditions.